Computer Display Screen System and Adjustable Screen Mount, and Swinging Screens Therefor

ABSTRACT

A computer system is described herein. In addition to a base structure for resting on a support surface, the system includes a first display panel coupled to the base structure, and a second display panel. The system further includes a hinge mechanism that couples a side edge of the first display panel to a side edge of the second display panel. The hinge mechanism allows the second display panel to rotate about a nominal axis substantially parallel to the side edge of the first display panel an allows the angle between the first viewing face of the first display panel and the second viewing face of the second display panel to be greater than 180°.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to electronic displays having dualdisplay screens used with computers and CAD design equipment, and moreparticularly to a display system permitting positioning of dual displayscreens in an infolded “booking” mode, and to a novel dismountable jointfor mounting articles, such as display screens. Also disclosed is aninterchangeable display screen and mounting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computers are readily adapted to operate multiple displays. Pairedmonitors and screens are useful when large amounts of relatedinformation, such as data or graphics, must be compared. Paired monitorscan be inconvenient, however, where limited desk space is available.Monitors may be horizontally aligned, or vertically aligned. It isespecially desirable to permit swinging of the monitor orientationstogether into a “booking” mode.

The invention also relates to a novel swingable mounting, which issuitable for mounting a variety of different pieces of equipment andinstruments particularly for example video cameras, telescopes, mirrors,and any number of different articles, which it may be desired to swinginto a position from which the article is not easily displaced.

The invention also relates to an interchangeable computer displayscreen, in which one or more of a variety of screen configurations canbe connected or disconnected in various configurations with a computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a display system having twoscreens and comprising a base, a pair of electronic displays mounted onthe base and means for swingably mounting the display screens, forswinging towards one another for convenient viewing. The swinging meansincludes an arm assembly which supports the display screens on the base.The support for the arm assembly from the base may have an orientationrelative to the base in which the display screens are positioned invertically stacked screen relationship and may also have a differentorientation in which the display screens are positioned in a horizontal,side by side relationship. Each display screen has a swingable jointconnecting it to the arm assembly to permit adjustment of its angularorientation relative to the other screen. The angular orientation ofeach of the display screens relative to the arm assembly can thus be setby the user so as to orient each display screen in the desired angularorientation for that operator.

In one implementation of the invention, the arm assembly can be set inone position about a generally horizontal axis relative to the base, andthe display screens can be swung together relative to the arm assembly.The arm assembly may be locked in either orientations, typicallyvertical or horizontal. Each display screen may be permitted to swingonly between a pair of angular positions relative to the arm assembly bycontrols in the swingable joints.

The displays will often be horizontally arranged side by side in theiroperative angular orientation. It will generally be desirable tominimize the spacing between edges of the display screens whethervertically registered or horizontally registered. To that end, thecenter-to-center spacing between the display screens is preferablyreduced when the screens are swung together.

The swingable mounting joints connecting the display screens to the armassembly are preferably formed in such a way that they can bepreconfigured either for a side by side orientation or for a verticallystacked orientation of the screens, with means being provided on theswingable joints to guide the assembly in one fashion or the other, andthe arm assembly is preferably provided with connecting means connectingto the swingable joints, which cooperate with the means guiding theassembly.

The swingable joints are preferably provided with control abutments bymeans of which the swinging of the displays can be guided and controlledboth when in their horizontal, side-by-side arrangement and when intheir vertically stacked arrangement, and the position and angulardisplacement of the two screens can be preset by adjustment of suchpositional controls during assembly.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a unique form ofspring-loaded pivot mount for mounting equipment, such as the displayscreen. The pivot mount is capable of adjusting the spring pressure onthe pivot so that the article mounted on the pivot mount, in this case ascreen can be adjusted, when grasped with both hands and moved, butwhich is otherwise highly resistant to movement due to frictionallocking of the pivot mount.

The pivot mount has numerous other uses, other than mounting displayscreens as will be apparent from the following description.

Further aspects of the invention provide for the interchangeability ofscreens one with the other, so that larger or smaller screens may beused with the same computer, and so that screens may be used in variousdifferent positions.

In some cases the screens may simply be stood on a table. In other casesthe screens may be wall-mounted or mounted on some form of base separatefrom the computer. In other cases the screens may be interchangeably andreleasably mountable for example in a vehicle, and they may beconfigured in pairs so that they may be portable and set up for a multiscreen display, for example, for viewing by a number of personssimultaneously.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various advantages of the present invention will become apparent toone skilled in the art by reading the following specification andsubjoined claims and by referencing the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a dual display screen system,showing swinging movement of the two screens towards one another;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front-elevation of the dual display screens of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the dual display screens of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of dual display screen shown withthe screens in vertical arrangement one above the other;

FIG. 6 is a side-elevation of FIG. 5 showing the screens tilted towardsone another;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the pivot mount and ball joint used inthis embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a section along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section along the line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective illustration of an arm assembly andshowing cut away portions of the swingable joints;

FIG. 11 is a section along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing the twocomponents assembled;

FIG. 12 is a section along the line 12-12 of FIG. 10 showing the twoparts assembled;

FIG. 13 is a perspective partly exploded illustration showing analternative interchangeable mounting system for mounting the screens;

FIG. 14 is an exploded rear perspective illustration of a complementaryportion of the mounting system, which is fitted to the back of eachscreen;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective illustration showing theinterchangeable mounting system of the invention coupled with a balljoint similar to that shown in FIG. 12, to enable a screen to be mountedon a stand separately from the computer;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation of the complementary portion of theinterchangeable mounting system mounted on the back of a screen;

FIG. 17 is a section along the line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective illustration partly in phantom of a modifiedform of stand for a computer screen;

FIG. 19 is a perspective illustration of a stand somewhat similar toFIG. 18, with a collapsible stand arm nesting in a base;

FIG. 19 a is a perspective of the unit of FIG. 19 folded and nested forstorage or carrying;

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective illustration partly exploded showing amodified form of computer together with a display releasable mounted onan arm extending from the computer;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective illustration of a wall-mounted form ofinterchangeable display screen together with a control panel;

FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration showing an interchangeable mountingof a display screen in a vehicle;

FIG. 23 is an illustration of another vehicle mounting of theinterchangeable displays screen, in the rear compartment of the vehicle;

FIG. 24 is an illustration of a computer with a rear mounted supportarm, and a greatly enlarged display screen fitted to the arm;

FIG. 25 is a perspective illustration of a table-mounted screen;

FIG. 26 shows a computer having two screens mounted one above the other,with a rotatable mount between the two screens;

FIG. 27 is a view of the same computer as shown in FIG. 26 showing thetwo screens folded outwardly, so that the display can be viewed by twopersons sitting opposite one another;

FIG. 28 is an illustration of a portable dual display screen with ahinging mount, the two screens being shown folded together in a storedor carrying position;

FIG. 29 is a perspective illustration showing a plurality of the displayscreens of FIG. 28 opened up so that they may stand on the table andface in opposite directions, and coupled to a computer;

FIG. 30 is a perspective illustration of an alternate form of tripoddisplay stand for holding three displays for example, on a conferenceroom table or the like;

FIG. 31 is a perspective illustration of the tripod support of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective partially exploded view of another form ofdismountable display leg for a display screen;

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective illustration of a typical lap topcomputer, having two display screens, the one being slidable relative tothe other for nesting, or extendable for use;

FIG. 34 is a perspective illustration of the lap top computer with dualdisplay screens of FIG. 33 showing the display screens in anotherconfiguration;

FIG. 35 is a perspective illustration of another form of lap topcomputer having two display screens, and showing a slidable cover panelfor one of the two display screens;

FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of another form of display screen,showing attachment recesses for various components;

FIG. 37 is a perspective illustration of, for example, a lap topcomputer showing two display screens such as that illustrated in FIG.36, being attachable to a hinge mounting on the computer;

FIG. 38 is a front elevational view of a pair of display screens asillustrated in FIG. 36 shown side by side;

FIG. 39 is a front elevational view corresponding to FIG. 38, butshowing the two display screens one above the other;

FIG. 40 shows an illustration of a further embodiment of invention witha computer having two display screens joined along the side by a hinge;

FIG. 41 shows the computer of FIG. 40 with the two display screens swungout side by side;

FIG. 42 shows the same computer with the two screens swung back to back,so as to display in opposite directions;

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a laptop computer system incorporatinga center LCD panel and a pair of half-width LCD panels on each sidethereof, wherein the half-width panels may be folded over the center LCDpanel and the entire display portion then folded down onto the keyboardportion of the laptop to form a compact assembly;

FIG. 44 is a side elevational view of a display system of the presentinvention incorporating a telescoping and pivoting upper support arm forpositioning an upper LCD panel adjustably at a desired height above alower LCD panel or in an orientation facing away from the lower LCDpanel;

FIG. 45 is a side elevational view of the display system of FIG. 44showing the upper support arm in an extended position;

FIG. 46 is a side elevational view of the display system with the upper.LCD panel adjusted at an angle relative to the lower LCD panel;

FIG. 47 is a side elevational view of the display system with the upper.LCD panel folded over backward relative to the lower LCD panel;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the display system in use at an airlineticket counter;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the display system in a foldedorientation for easy handling;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment ofa display system of the present invention incorporating a rotatingsupport member to enable a LCD panel to be rotated about a verticalaxis;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view illustrating an upper LCD panel mountedfor swiveling movement relative to a lower LCD panel using the systemshown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the display system shown in FIG. 51showing the two LCD panels facing in opposite directions;

FIG. 53 is an exploded perspective view of a modular, multi-panel LCDdisplay system in accordance with another alternative preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the display system shown in FIG. 53 inassembled form ready to accept four LCD panels;

FIG. 55 is a front view of the display system of FIG. 54 with four LCDpanels attached thereto;

FIG. 56 is a rear view of the display system of FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the display system of FIG. 55;

FIG. 58 is an exploded perspective view of the system shown in FIG. 53but without one of the support arms such that a three LCD panel displaysystem is formed;

FIG. 59 is an exploded perspective view of the display system shown inFIG. 58 illustrating how a single LCD panel is attached at an uppermostend of one of the support arms;

FIG. 60 is a front elevational view of three LCD panels supported on thedisplay system shown in FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a front elevational view of three LCD panels being supportedsuch that the single LCD panel is below an upper pair of LCD panels;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a base assembly for supporting threeLCD panels in the configuration shown in FIG. 62;

FIG. 63 is a front elevational view of a four LCD panel system with twoof the panels disposed in portrait orientation and two disposed inlandscape orientation; and

FIG. 64 is a front elevational view of a three LCD panel system with twoLCD panels disposed in a landscape orientation and one in a portraitorientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As already explained, the invention in this particular embodimentillustrated, has its application to the use of dual display screens,which can be used to display two different computer imagessimultaneously. This may have application for example in CAD computerdesign application. For these and other purposes it is particularlyuseful if the two screens or displays can be tilted towards one anotherso that they appear in the form more or less of two pages of an openbook. The screens are preferably arranged side by side, in horizontalalignment, but may also be arranged vertically one above the other.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the invention is there illustrated asin the form of a pair of video display screens 10 and 12, each of whichmay be of known construction, but which may typically be liquid crystaldisplays (LCDS) for example. They are each provided with video terminalconnectors 14 (FIG. 2) by means of which they may be connected to acomputer.

Each of the screens 10 and 12 comprises a central rectangular displayportion 16, and a rectangular marginal frame 18.

The two display screens 10 and 12 are mounted at opposite ends of amounting arm 20. The mounting arm 20 is itself supported on an uprightstand 22 and a base 24. The arm 20 may be connected to the base 22 by acoupling means 26 (FIG. 4) by means of which the arm may be attachedduring assembly, either horizontally, or vertically (FIG. 6) prior todelivery to the customer.

In some cases the manufacturer may simply make the arm permanentlyattached in one position, i.e. horizontal or the other i.e. vertical, toreduce expense.

As will be noted in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the displays 10 and 12 ismounted on respective free ends of arm 20, by means of a swingablemounting means 28 and 30 respectively.

The swingable mounting means 28 and 30 are so constructed as to permitthe two screens 10 and 12 to be swung together towards one another, intothe configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in which they both remain inthe same upright planes, and in which they are both swung towards oneanother by equal angles. In this way, as the two screens 10 and 12 areswung towards one another into this configuration, the angulardisplacement of one screen is equal to the angular displacement of theother screen, so that the two frames 18 of the screens 10 and 12substantially meet at a central point indicated generally as P, thusbringing the two screens 16-16 as close as possible together and at thesame time, as far as possible, simulating the appearance of two pages ofa book opened up.

It will be observed that when the arm 20 is fastened in its verticalposition as shown in FIG. 5, the lower one of the two screens 10 and 12is moved up the arm, because in the vertically stacked orientation, therectangular screens have a shorter vertical dimension, and it isdesirable that they should be as close to one another as possible whenthey are swung together, so that the longer sides meet at point P.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that it isdesirable that the two screens can be swung together into their inwardlyangled relation as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, or FIG. 6, but that thescreens should be capable of being tilted only to a limited degree inany other direction relative to one another, since this might reduce theclarity of the dual display. However, the two screens may be tiltedslightly upwardly, or downwardly by similar angular displacements inthis way the simulation of an open book arrangement is maintained.

For these reasons, the two display screens 10 and 12 are mounted on thearm 20 by means of the swingable mountings 28 and 30. These mountingswill now be described in greater detail with regard to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.

FIG. 7 illustrates the mounting 28 or 30 in an exploded perspectiveview. The swingable joint consists essentially of a ball 32, and asocket 34, with the ball 32 being preferably cast out of a suitablematerial preferably a metallic material and the socket 34 being castpreferably of a somewhat resilient material such as a thermoplastic. Theball 32 is mounted on a neck 36, which extends from a generallyrectangular junction block 38. The block 38 is formed with a plurality,in this case four, rectangular guide members 40, spaced apart at 90degrees from one another around the block 38.

One of the guide members 40A, is wider than the other three guidemembers 40, to provide guidance when the guide members are assembled ina manner to be described below.

The block 38 and guide members 40 are designed to fit into suitablerecesses in the arm 20 (described below).

A collar member 42 of generally semi-arcuate shape, is designed to fitover the block 38 and around the socket 34, for reasons to be describedbelow. Collar 42 is formed with fastening flanges 44 by means of whichit may be secured in position as described below.

In this particular embodiment, the arm 20 is provided at each end withthree mounting recesses 46A, 46B and 46C. Each mounting recess 46 hasfour channel shaped grooves 48 formed therein spaced at ninety degreestherearound. The channel shaped grooves 48 are intended to receive therectangular guide members 40 of the swingable joints.

One of the guide channel grooves 48A is wider than the others, toreceive the wider one 40A of the rectangular guide members. In this waythe guide members provide a keying function, which controls thepositioning of the swingable joints and the display screen.

Bolts 50 align with the blocks 38, and are received in suitable threadedbores 51 (FIG. 7) and secure the assemblies in position.

The ball 32 is provided with a plurality, in this case four screwreceiving bores 52, adapted to receive screws 54 therein. The socketsare spaced around the widest part of the ball 32, and are radiallyspaced apart by 90 degrees from one another. It will be appreciated thatwhile there are four such bores 52, in certain circumstances only two orthree screws 54 will be inserted, for reasons to be described below.

The heads of the screws 54 are cylindrical and protrude outwardly fromthe ball 32, and are received in respective slots 56 formed in socket34. The ball 32 is a snug frictional fit within the interior of socket34, so that a significant twisting moment is required to rotate the ballwithin the socket.

Clearly depending on the number of screws 54 in position, the actualmovement of the ball in the socket is restricted. Thus for example ifthere are three such screws 54 in position, two of the screws 54 willsimply limit the movement of the ball 32, so that the ball 32 canvirtually be moved only around the axis of the two screws 54. If a thirdscrew 54 is inserted then it will restrict movement of the ball so thatit can be rotated only in such a fashion that the screw 54 rides alongits respective groove 56, but that it will not be able to movesignificantly in the reverse angular direction.

For reasons to be described below, two of the slots 56A and 56B arewider and the other two slots 56 are narrower.

The socket 34 has a generally annular base 58, and a spring loaded plate

60 abuts against the annular base 58. The shape of the socket 34 is suchthat a small cylindrical boss 59 project through a registering openingin the spring plate 60, (FIG. 9).

The spring plate 60 is secured in position by means of screws 62 passingthrough suitable registering openings 61 on the flange 44 of the collar42, and secured in threaded openings 63 in plate 60.

By tightening or loosening the screws 62, it is possible to applygreater or lesser pressure by flexing the plate 60 against the rearsurface of socket 34, and thus adjust the friction between the surfaceof the ball 32 in the socket 34. In this way it is possible to presetthe rotational force or torque that would be require to rotate the ballin the socket.

Additional control of the friction on the ball is provided by means ofthe frusto-conical collar 42. This mates with frusto-conical bevels 64on the exterior of collar 34. Thus by tightening or loosening the screws50 in the sockets 48, the collar 42 can be made to squeeze and wedge thefour sides of the socket 34 together tightly around the ball 32 and thusstill further control the friction applied by the socket 34 to the ball32.

In order to further control and limit the swinging of the ball 32 andstem 36 relative to the socket 34, limiting screws 70-70 are provided,which can be inserted or removed in suitable threaded inserts 72-72 inannular base 58 of socket 34.

One or more such screws 70 can be inserted (FIG. 9) and can beadjustably positioned, so as to abut against the cylindrical heads ofscrews 54, and thus limit swinging of the ball 32.

Access to screws 70 can be obtained through registering opening 74 inplate 60.

As mentioned, all of these settings would be preset in the factorybefore shipment, so that in use the actual scope of movement of thedisplay screen, by means of rotating the ball 32 in the socket 34 issubstantially restricted or limited.

It will thus be seen that the novel ball and socket joint describedprovides a great degree of control on the angular position of thearticle attached to it, in this case the screens 10 or 12. In fact, bysuitable adjustments in the factory, the friction on the ball 32 can bemade sufficiently tight that it is substantially impossible to manuallymove the arm 36 on which the ball 32 is mounted, simply by grasping theblock 38.

However, the friction can be so adjusted that by grasping the two edgesof the display screen, the position of the display screen can bemanually adjusted to the most suitable position, and once adjusted itwill remain substantially fixed in that position.

Thus, once the block 38 is inserted in position in its socket in thearm, and locked in position, then by grasping the two side frames of thescreen, sufficient torque can be applied, to adjust the position of thescreen and rotate the ball 32 in the socket 34 until the screen is inthe desired position.

In accordance with various further embodiments of the invention asillustrated in FIGS. 13 through 29, the invention provides for a stillgreater range of interchangeability either as between one screen andanother screen for computer, which may facilitate either the use of asmall portable screen or a much larger screen, or the use of a pluralityof screens, or the ready interchangeability of simple forms of screenmountings.

FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 indicate one form of interchangeable screenattachment, being a further embodiment of the ball and socket joint asillustrated in FIGS. 7 through 12. In this further embodiment, amodified form of plate 80 is secured to the ball and socket joint 28-30.The plate 8 in this case is formed with a generally V-shaped socket 82,the edges of the V-shaped socket being formed with flanges. Acomplementary attachment plug 84 is mounted on a plate 86 which issecured to the back of the screen 18. In this embodiment the arm 20 isshown mounted on an independent base stand 88, and the actual computerand keyboard may be located elsewhere and simply connected by suitablecoupling cables (not shown) so that the entire arrangement of displaysand mounting arm can be positioned wherever it is most convenient.

In this embodiment, for added security, locking screws 90 may beprovided in either side of the V-shaped recess 82. The flexibility ofthe interchangeable screen system according to the invention is furtherillustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. In this case, a portable mounting basefor a single display screen may be provided. In this case a base 92 isformed with a groove 94. A swingable upright arm 96 is swingable intoand out of the groove 94. The arm 26 may have a telescopic ability, andmay be provided with a V-shaped retaining slot 98 at its upper end, forretaining a display screen shown in phantom as 12, having a mountingplug 84 formed to fit the slot 98. If desired the slot 94 may also bearranged to hold a manual computer “mouse” device of a type well knownin computer art indicated generally as M, giving a limited degree ofcontrol over the display on the screen. FIG. 19 a illustrates the devicewith the arm 94 swung downwardly into the groove 92 and nested.

FIG. 20 illustrates a modification of this concept, in which for examplea computer of the lap-top type indicated generally as C may be providedwith a swingable support arm 100, having a V-shaped slot 102 at itsupper end similar to the slot 98. A display screen indicated generallyas 12 may have a mating groove or recess 104 adapted to receive the arm100, and within the groove 104 there is a V-shaped locking flange 106shaped to mate with the V-shaped slot 102. The locking flange 106 can beprovided with electrical contacts 107. Contacts 107 can be arranged tocontact matching contacts 108 (FIG. 19), in the V shaped slot 102. Thisarrangement can be used in all these embodiments to avoid the use ofcables wherever possible.

In this way the entire combination of lap-top computer and display 12can be fitted together and swung down into a closed position forcarrying or storage and can be swung upwardly for use, and if desired,the screen 12 as illustrated can be easily removed and a screen havingdifferent characteristics or a larger screen can simply be snapped inposition, if desired.

FIG. 21 illustrates the adaptability of the system for use in forexample the removable mounting of a display screen on a wall, or theside of a booth for example. In this case a wall mounting block 110 canbe attached by any suitable fastening means (not shown) for securing thesame to a vertical surface. The mounting block 110 may have fingeroperated controls similar to a computer “Mouse” for limited control ofthe display on the screen for demonstration or presentation purposes andmay have speakers for combined audio and visual effects.

The display screen 12 itself can again simply be mounted on an uprightarm 112 having at its upper end a generally V-shaped recessed body 114,preferably on a hinged mount 116. The screen 12 will be supplied with asuitable V-shaped locking flange on its rear surface (not shown) of thetype already described.

FIG. 22 illustrates the same concept for the mounting of a displayscreen indicated as 12 in a vehicle. This may have applicationparticularly for sales persons and for displaying maps of cities and thelike, to assist drivers of delivery vehicles. In this case the displayscreen 12 can be mounted on an arm 120 secured at a suitable position onthe front of the interior compartment of the vehicle. Again a releasablemount of the V-shaped slotted type shown as 122 is provided on the arm120, and the screen 12 would be provided on its rear with a suitableinverted V-shaped locking flange fitting in the recess 122. There wouldalso be provided matching electrical contacts, described above, in thesecomponents, to avoid the use of cables. In this way, the screen 12 couldbe placed and locked in position when it was required, and when thevehicle was parked the screen 122 could simply be easily dismounted andplaced in the trunk, or taken out of the vehicle altogether, for greatersecurity.

The screen 12 would be connected to a suitable small computer (notshown) again being of the portable type so that it could readily beremoved from the vehicle.

A somewhat similar arrangement could be made for the rear compartment ofthe vehicle illustrated in FIG. 23. In this case a swingable arm 126 isshown mounted in the rear surface of each of the front seats indicatedas S in a vehicle.

A suitable V-shaped slotted mounting recess 128 would be mounted on thearm 126. The arm 126 could be swung out from the seat, and a displayscreen 12 could be mounted on the V-shaped recess.

FIG. 24 illustrates a typical laptop computer C, having an enlargeddisplay screen 12 mounted on a hinged arm 130, which is hinged to therear of the computer. This illustrates the adaptability of theinterchangeable screen mounting using the V-shaped recess and plug, soas to adapt a smaller laptop type computer C, with use with a muchlarger screen 12.

FIG. 25 illustrates the use of a free-standing screen 12 having arearwardly mounted hinged leg 132, which can be swung rearwardly tosupport the screen at an angle somewhat in the manner of an easel.Again, the hinging leg 132 can be connected to the back of the screen 12by interchangeable means such as the V-shaped recess and plug, ifdesired.

FIG. 26 illustrates another configuration, in which a computer indicatedgenerally as C may be provided with two screens 12A and 12B swingablyand hingeably mounted to the rear edge of the computer C. The lowerscreen 12A is hinged along the line 134. The upper screen 12B is hingedto the lower screen 12A by means of the generally cylindrical tubularhinge bar 136.

As illustrated in FIG. 27, the uppermost screen 12B can be swung into anobtuse angle relative to the lower screen 12A so that the two screens12A and 12B can be viewed by at least two persons sitting opposite toone another. By means of suitable software, when the upper screen 12B isswung into the obtuse angle shown, the image on the screen 12B will bereversed, so that the images on screens 12A and 12B are both viewed theright way up.

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate forms of free-standing dual screens indicatedgenerally as 140 and 142, connected together by a tubular hinge bar 144.

The pairs of screens 140 and 142 can be swung open at obtuse angles toone another and stood on a surface such as a table as illustrated inFIG. 29. They may be connected to a computer C by means of daisy chaincables 146, which plug into opposite ends of the tubular hinge bar 144.As in the embodiment of FIGS. 26 and 27, the computer will containsuitable software the nature of which is to invert the image as betweenone screen and the other so that both screens show their respectiveimages the right way up.

Various other modifications and adaptations can also be made using theprinciples of the invention.

Thus, FIG. 30 is a perspective illustration of an alternate form oftripod display stand 145 for holding three displays 12 for example, on aconference room table or the like.

FIG. 31 is a perspective illustration of the tripod support 145 of FIG.30.

FIG. 32 is a rear perspective partially exploded view of another form ofdismountable display leg 130 for a display screen 12.

FIG. 33 is a rear perspective illustration of a typical lap top computerC, having two display screens 12A and 12B, the one being slidablerelative to the other for nesting, or extendable for use on arms 150.

FIG. 34 is a perspective illustration of the lap top computer C withdual display screens 12A and 12B of FIG. 33 showing the display screensin another configuration.

FIG. 35 is a perspective illustration of another form of lap topcomputer C having two display screens 12A and 12B, and showing aslidable cover panel 152 for one of the two display screens.

FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of another form of display screen154, showing attachment recesses 156 for various components. Electricalconnections 157 are incorporated in the recesses 156 for interconnectionwith matching contacts (not shown) in suitable accessories. Accessoriesmay include audio speakers, and video cameras for direct feed back, togive only two examples.

FIG. 37 is a perspective illustration of, for example, a lap topcomputer C showing two display screens 154-154 such as that illustratedin FIG. 36, being attachable to a hinge mounting 158 on the computer.

FIG. 38 is a front elevational view of a pair of display screens 154-154as illustrated in FIG. 36 shown side by side with audio speakers 158 andvideo cameras 159 attached.

FIG. 39 is a front elevational view corresponding to FIG. 38, butshowing the two display screens 154-154 one above the other.

As best shown in FIGS. 40, 41 and 42, a further embodiment of theinvention may provide for a typical computer C having two displayscreens 160 and 162. The screen 160 is hinged to the computer by meansof a hinge 164. The second screen 162 is hinged to the first screen bymeans of a vertical hinge along one side indicated as 166.

As best shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the two screens 160 and 162 may eitherbe swung out so that they are side by side with one another facing theoperator of the computer C, or, as shown in FIG. 42, the two screens maybe swung so that screen 162 is back to back with screen 160, therebydisplaying the display both to the operator of the computer and tosomebody sitting facing him. In this form of the invention specialsoftware and the like will not be required for the reversing of theimages, since both images will be shown the right way up.

Referring now to FIG. 43, a computer 168 in accordance with anotheralternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Thecomputer incorporates a center LCD panel 170 pivotably mounted by ahinge 172 to a base portion 174 of the computer. Pivotably supported onopposite sides of the center LCD panel 170 are a pair of LCD panels 176which are each about one-half the width of the center LCD panel 170. Theouter LCD panels 176 are supported by hinges 178, which may be identicalin construction to hinge 172. The outer LCD panels 176 may be foldedover the center LCD panel 170 and the entire display portion comprisingpanels 170 and 176 then folded down against the base 174 to form acompact unit that may be easily carried.

Referring now to FIGS. 44-49, a display system 180 in accordance withanother alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention isshown. The display system 180 includes a base 182 and a support column184. Secured to the support column 184 is a lower support arm 186 and atelescoping upper support arm 188. Attached to each support arm is amounting assembly 190, which preferably comprises a ball joint such asthat described herein. Secured to each mounting assembly 190 is a LCDpanel 192.

With specific reference to FIGS. 45-47, the lower support arm 186comprises a tubular construction and the upper support arm 188 comprisesa neck portion 194 which enables the upper support arm 188 to beextended (i.e., telescoped) relative to the lower support arm 186. Theupper support arm 188 further includes a hinge 196 which enables theupper LCD panel 192 to be angled relative to the neck portion 194 so asto place it at a convenient viewing angle. As is apparent in FIG. 47,the upper LCD panel 192 can even be rotated into position to face awayfrom the lower LCD panel 192. This orientation is particularly wellsuited for retail applications where a sales person needs to viewinformation while inputting product or other information, and where itis desirable to display to the customer various items of information asthe transaction is conducted. Advantageously, the telescoping uppersupport arm 188 and the hinge 196 enable the two LCD panels 192 to beplaced at separate heights to accommodate airline ticket counters, hotelregistration counters and other like structures where an employee'scounter is frequently at a different height from a surface or counteruseable by a customer.

FIGS. 47 and 48 illustrate the display system 180 in use at an airlineticket counter 198 having a first counter 200 at a lower height than asecond counter 202. In this application it will be appreciated thatsuitable software will be required to “flip” the image displayed on theupper LCD panel 192. The telescoping upper support arm 188 inherentlyprovides a degree of adjustability to accommodate a range of counterheights without modification to the either of the support arms 186,188or the support column 184.

FIG. 49 illustrates the two LCD panels 192 folded together such that thedisplay system 180 forms a compact assembly which may be easilytransported if needed. In this regard it will be appreciated that anyform of conventional clasp may be included to secure the folded LCDpanels 192 to one another or to the base. Also, a handle could easily beattached to a portion of the display system 180, such as the supportcolumn 184, to enable the system 180 to be easily transported.

Referring now to FIGS. 50 and 51, still another display system 200 isshown. With specific reference to FIG. 50, the display system 200includes a support column 202 and an upper support member 204 having aneck portion 206. The support column 202 includes a bore 208 adapted toreceive the neck portion and enable the neck portion 206 to rotate orswivel therein such that the upper support member 204 can be swiveled.The support member 204 is secured to a rear surface 212 of a LCD panel210 through either a fixed arrangement or a pivotable mountingarrangement such as disclosed herein. The neck 206 may be captured byany suitable arrangement in the bore 208 such that the LCD panel 210 isnot removable from the support column 202. Alternatively, it may bereleasably disposed in the bore 208 such that the entire upper supportmember 204 and LCD panel 210 may be lifted out of the column 202 beforerepositioning the LCD panel 210 as desired. In this manner the clearancebetween the LCD panel 210 and the support column 202, which wouldotherwise be important for allowing the support member 204 to freelyrotate with the LCD panel 210 thereon, will not be a concern.

With specific reference to FIG. 51, the display system 200 is shown withthe upper LCD panel 210 rotated to a position perpendicular to a lowerLCD panel 212. The support column 202 is supported on a base 214. InFIG. 52 the upper LCD panel 210 is rotated 180 degrees from the lowerLCD panel 212 to permit two individuals facing each other to each viewone of the LCD panels 210,212.

Referring now to FIG. 53, a modular display system 300 is shown inaccordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. The display system 300 is intended to support anywhere fromone to four independent LCD display panels, but it will be appreciatedthat the system 300 could easily be expanded to support more than fourLCD panels if needed, as will be explained momentarily.

Referring to FIG. 53, the system 300 includes a base 302 a supportcolumn 304, a first support arm 306, a second support arm 308 and athird support arm 310. Each support arm 306, 308 and 310 includes atleast two coupling assemblies 312, and preferably three such assemblies312. The support column 304 also includes once such assembly 312,although this member could also include several assemblies 312 ifneeded. Support arms 306, 308 and 310 each also include a mountingmember 314 (with the mounting member of support arm 306 being hidden inFIG. 53) which is disposed preferably at an approximate mid-point alonga length of its support arm. Each mounting member 314 is adapted toengage in either one of two positions 90 degrees offset from one anotherin one of the coupling assemblies 312 in a key-like fashion to hold itsassociated LCD panel in either a portrait orientation or a landscapeorientation.

The pair of coupling assemblies closely adjacent each other on eachsupport arms 308 and 310 are provided to space two adjacently positionedLCD panels mounted on each arm slightly farther apart from each other toprovide additional clearance needed when the two LCD panels are placedin a landscape orientation. Thus, in a landscape orientation, the twoLCD panels supported on either of the arms 308 and/or 310 will besupported at the two outermost coupling assemblies 312 near the veryends of each arm. In a portrait orientation the LCD panels will need tobe spaced closer to each other, thus requiring one of the LCD panels tobe coupled to the more inwardly positioned assembly 312 a (FIG. 53) ofeach support arm 308 and 310. The closely positioned pair of couplingassemblies 312 on support arm 306 enables the third support arm 310 tobe mounted in one of two positions on arm 306 depending upon whether theLCD panels are disposed in a landscape or a portrait orientation. FIGS.55-57 illustrate four LCD panels 316 supported on the display system300. It will be appreciated that each of the LCD panels 316 includes amounting member identical or similar to members 314 on a rear housingsurface thereof such that each can be quickly and easily coupled to oneof the coupling assemblies 312.

It will be appreciated that the display system 300 could easily be usedto support less than four LCD panels 316 if desired. For example, in thedrawing of FIG. 54 the second support arm 308 could be eliminated andthe one LCD panel 316 coupled directly to the vertically uppermostcoupling assembly 312. This arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 58-60.Alternatively, the lower support arm 310 could be eliminated and a LCDpanel 316 coupled directly thereto as illustrated in FIGS. 61 and 62.

It will be appreciated that the display system 300 could be easilymodified through the use of additional support arms to support more thanfour LCD panels 316 if needed. For example, the support arm 306 could belengthened sufficiently to extend above the second arm 308, and a fourthsupport arm identical to arms 308 and 310 could be coupledperpendicularly thereto such that two extra LCD panels could besupported. An even longer support member and still another extra supportarm could be incorporated to support eight LCD panels 316. As can beappreciated, a very large plurality of independent LCD panels can besupported from a single base 302 and support column 304 if needed.Particularly desirable is the feature of being able to orientate the LCDpanels 316 in either portrait or landscape mode, or a combination ofeach as needed. FIGS. 63 and 64 illustrate variations of the abovedescribed display systems incorporating both landscape and portraitorientated LCD panels 316.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings of the present invention can beimplemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention hasbeen described in connection with particular examples thereof, the truescope of the invention should not be so limited since othermodifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon astudy of the drawings, specification and following claims.

1. A computer system comprising: a base structure for resting on asupport surface; a first display panel having a first viewing face, saidfirst display panel being coupled to the base structure; a seconddisplay panel having a second viewing face; and a hinge mechanism forcoupling a side edge of the first display panel to a side edge of thesecond display panel, wherein the hinge mechanism allows the seconddisplay panel to rotate about a nominal axis substantially parallel tothe side edge of the first display panel and allows the angle betweenthe first viewing face and the second viewing face to be greater than180°.
 2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanismallows the angle between the first and second viewing faces to be in therange of 0° to 360°.
 3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the basestructure includes a keyboard in electric communication with the firstand second display panels.
 4. The computer system of claim 1, whereinthe first viewing face includes an LCD screen.
 5. The computer system ofclaim 1, wherein the computer system is a laptop.
 6. The computer systemof claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism allows the second display panelto assume an obverse viewing position in which the second display panelis substantially parallel to the first display panel and the secondviewing face faces away from the first viewing face, thereby allowing afirst person to view the first viewing face at the same time that asecond person racing the first person views the second viewing face. 7.The computer system of claim 6, wherein, in the obverse viewingposition, the second display panel is against the first display panel.8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism allowsthe display system to assume a storage position in which the seconddisplay panel is substantially parallel to the first display panel suchthat the first viewing face faces the second viewing face.
 9. Thecomputer system of claim 8, wherein, in the storage position, the seconddisplay panel is against the first display panel.
 10. The computersystem of claim 8, wherein the hinge mechanism allows the second displaypanel to rotate 360° from the storage position to an obverse viewingposition in which the second display panel is substantially parallel toand against the first display panel such that the second viewing facefaces away from the first viewing face to thereby allow a first personto view the first viewing face at the same time that a second personfacing the first person views the second viewing face.
 11. The computersystem of claim 10, wherein, in the obverse viewing position, the seconddisplay panel is against the first display panel.
 12. The computersystem of claim 11, further comprising a keyboard having a keyboard edgeto which a bottom edge of the first display panel is hingedly connected,wherein the first display panel and the second display panel may befolded over the keyboard when the display system is in the storageposition.
 13. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the hingemechanism supports the full weight of the second display panel.
 14. Thecomputer system of claim 13, wherein the hinge mechanism allows theangle between the first and second viewing faces to be in the range of0° to 360 °.
 15. The computer system of claim 14, wherein the computersystem is a laptop and the base structure includes a keyboard having akeyboard edge to which a bottom edge of the first display panel ishingedly connected.